Published: September 4, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(West Hills, CA) – A 33-year-old woman died after she was hit by a car while crossing Roscoe Boulevard in West Hills late Wednesday, and police opened an investigation the following day.
According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the woman was walking across Roscoe Boulevard outside of a crosswalk when a westbound vehicle struck her at roughly 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, near where the roadway meets Farralone Avenue.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office recorded the woman as a resident of Port Hueneme in Ventura County, though police said she was homeless. The LAPD stated that the driver remained at the scene as the law requires.
Footage recorded at the location showed a silver Toyota sedan with a damaged windshield, along with officers setting up a tent over the body.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the West Hills Pedestrian Collision
When a pedestrian is killed after being struck by a vehicle, investigators generally reconstruct the moments before impact to understand where each party was, how fast the vehicle was moving, and whether either party had a duty to yield. California law places overlapping duties on drivers and pedestrians, and no single fact in an early police account resolves those questions. The discussion below is a general framework only and is not a conclusion about this incident.
Because the LAPD indicated the woman was crossing outside of a crosswalk, one statute investigators may consider is California Vehicle Code section 21954, which asks a pedestrian crossing away from a crosswalk to yield to vehicles that are close enough to be an immediate hazard. That same section, however, preserves a driver's separate obligation to exercise due care for pedestrian safety, and the related right-of-way rules in section 21950 also impose a duty of care. A driver's duty to travel at a reasonable and prudent speed for the conditions is addressed by the Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350. Whether either party met these duties depends on evidence not yet public.
Under Civil Code section 1714, a person is responsible for harm caused by a lack of ordinary care, reduced to the extent the injured person contributed to the harm. If evidence were to show a statutory violation that proximately caused the death, Evidence Code section 669 can create a presumption of negligence, while Civil Code section 1431.2 allocates non-economic damages according to each party's share of fault. These principles cut in more than one direction and cannot be applied until the facts are established.
What Families Can Do
Families grappling with a sudden death after a traffic collision can take a few practical steps. Obtaining the traffic collision report, identifying any witnesses, and preserving vehicle and scene evidence early can matter later. California recognizes wrongful death claims for certain heirs under Code of Civil Procedure section 377.60, and a survival action under section 377.30, with the measure of damages set by Civil Code section 3333. Most personal injury and wrongful death claims are subject to a two-year deadline under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, so acting sooner rather than later helps preserve options. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A West Hills Car Accident Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. Patch – Woman, 33, Killed By Car In West Hills
